The newest edition of “Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants” premiered Tuesday. Fans were given an inside look at how the New York Giants navigated April’s NFL Draft, including details about a phone call between head coach Brian Daboll and former University of Alabama head coach Nick Saban.
Malik Nabers is a “f***ing problem” according to legendary Alabama coach
As revealed in the HBO special, Daboll reached out to Saban before the draft, asking him who he thought the Giants should draft. According to Daboll, Saban named two players who are “a f***ing problem,” Georgia TE Brock Bowers, and LSU WR Malik Nabers, who the Giants would eventually draft with the sixth-overall pick.
Daboll was a part of Saban’s staff at Alabama in 2017, being the team’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Now, the legendary college coach appears to be helping his old friend in the NFL.
Giants GM attempted to trade for a quarterback in the NFL Draft
GM Joe Schoen did try to swing a deal to trade up in the draft in order to draft one of the better QBs, but made it clear that if no realistic deal came about, the Giants would be drafting one of Nabers, or Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. if they were available at their pick.
Giants brass became fans of Nabers from the start of the draft process
Throughout the series, it’s been clear that the Giants were enamored with Nabers from the very beginning of the draft process. His combination of physical traits and a fiery, competitive spirit was enough to convince New York that they should draft him.
In the latest episode, Giants fans were given a look at Wide Receiver coach Mike Groh interviewing Rome Udunze, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Nabers together. Following the interview, Groh was asked by team co-owner and president John Mara who he would draft out of the trio, to which Groh replied he would draft Nabers.
After the departure of RB Saquon Barkley, the Giants are in need of their next explosive offensive playmaker. The hope is that Nabers can provide the team with an added boost to a dismal offense, and give QB Daniel Jones a legitimate No. 1 option for the first time in his career.
